Padding element for ironing machines



T. J. YATES.

PADDING ELEMENT FOR IRONING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED AUG.2. I922.

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T. J. YATES. PADDING ELEMENT FOR IRONING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED AUG,2. I922.

1,4323%. Patented 001;. 24, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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THOMAS J. YATES, 01E SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO YATES MACHINE COMPANY, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

PADDING ELEMENT FOR IRONING MACHINES.

Application filed August 2,

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. YATES, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Salem, county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Padding Elements for Ironing Machines, of which the following description, in connection With-the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representin like parts.

This invention re ates to improvements in the covering elements of the roll, plate or pad forming the base of the padded element of a laundry ironing machine.

The object of the invention is to provide a resilient porous metal covering over which a fabric covering may be placed to form the padded element and present the required smooth, continuous, even surface.

The object of the invention is further to provide such a covering which will withstand the required pressure in the ironing operation but which at circumscribed areas,

such as resulting from the. passage of a button, welt or other extra-thickness in the article being ironed, will yield without affecting the functioning of the remainder of the padded surface so as to insure the required finish on the article being ironed.

he object of the invention is further to provide such a covering as will enable the moisture expelled from the article being ironed to be drawn through the covering and removed thus maintaining the fabric covering in an eflicient Working condition and reducing or eliminating the dissipation of the moisture from. the article into the atmosphere.

'I he object of the invention is further to provide means on the metal covering uniformly distributed throughout the fabi1ic supporting surface for gripping and holding in engagement therewith the fabric covering.

These and other objects and features of the invention will appear more fully from the accompanying description and drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings;

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration partially in vertical cross-section of one form of ironing machine to which the invention may be applied;

ig. 2 is an end elevation of a padded 1922. SerialNo. 579,182.

roll of a machine such as shown in Fig. l with a preferred form of the invention embodied therein and with the fabric covering shown on only a section of the roll;

F 1g. 31s a diagrammatic view of an ironing machine of a different type from that illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail in vertical cross section showing the end of a padded roll with the covering removed and with one form of construction by means of which the moisture is abstracted;

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are plan views of a portion of a roll such as shown in Fig. 2 with thefabric covering removed and with portions of the resilient metal covering of different forms embodying the invention shown removed in places;

Fig.8 is a detail in perspective of a section of the form of the resilient metal covering illustrated in Fig. 5;

9 is an enlarged detail partially in section transverse to the roll axis showing the construction of the metal and fabric coverings;

, Fig. 10 is a detail in perspective of a section of the form of the resilient metal covering such as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7.

This invention which has to do with the covering or the padded element in an ironing machine is equally applicable to various forms of such machines either where the ironing operation is performed by a direct flat pressure, by a rolling pressure, or by a rubbing action under pressure between two or more elements. In any such machine one of the co-ope'rating elements usually .presents a highly heated metal surface which produces the finish on' the article being ironed while the other element presents a padded fabric covered surface between which and the heated metal surface the article is pressed or ironed.

Substantially all articles thus pressed or ironed present irregularities in thickness, such as: seams, welts and buttons, which render it extremely difficult to produce the required finish in the ironing operation without injury to these thicker or irregular portions. The present invention provides a padding for the padded element which entirel obviates this difficulty, allowing the ai'tic es to pass through or bepressed in the 'machine to produce the required finish appendage thereto. The invention is equally applicable to any form of padded element including the roll type with which commercial ironing machines are largely provided and in all cases secures a smooth, even, continuous surface capable of withstanding the .required pressure and yet yielding in circumscribed areas to permit the passage of irregularities in thickness without affecting the remainder of the surface.

The articles ironed are uniformly moistened and under the intense heat em loyed this moisture is turned into steam. ence the disposal of the moisture or steam is an important matter. If the steam passes into the atmosphere it is very objectionable to the attendants, and if it passes into the fabric covering of the padded element it soon soaks the covering and places it in a condition unfit for eiiicient operation. In this invention the resilient padding is of such a nature that the moisture may be drawn through to the hollow interior of the added element and then abstracted thererom in condensed form, thus maintaining the fabric covering in efficient working condition and freeing the atmosphere from an ob'ectionable amount of steam.

hile the invention may take various forms several practical and preferred forms are illustrated in the drawings.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 the hollow steam chest 1 is heated by a suitable steam supply to the required temperature and presents the smooth upper cylindrical surfaces 2 against which the article 3 is pressed and rubbed to give the required finish. In this form'the co-operating element is inv the form of a plurality of rolls 4 synchronously rotated by suitable mechanism in the same direction. The article 3 after it passes between the rolls 4 and the surfaces 2 is discharged onto a table 5 or other suitable device. I

In the construction shown in Fig. 3 the heated metal ironing element is shown in the form of a relatively large cylinder 6 partially surrounded by the padded rolls 7 similar to those shown at 4 in Fig. 1. The article after being fed between the cylinder 6 andthe rolls 7 is discharged upon a table 8.

In the preferred form illustrated the invention is shown as applied to the rolls such as employed at 4: and 7 in the constructions of machines illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. And as the invention primarily relates to the padding and covering of the padded element such as these rolls. it will be sufiicient bered base for the covering. The roll illustrated in Figures 2 and 4 inclusive is in the form of a cylindrical metal shell 9 closed at one end 10 with a stub shaft 11 projecting from the closed end and provided at the opposite end with a hollow shaft 12. The roll turns on the aligned shafts l1 and 12 and is mounted usually in movable bearings (not shown) to yield toward and from the opposite ironing element. It may be driven by any suitable means such as the gear 13.

The moisture coming from the articles being ironed is drawn through the covering and padding, through the shell of the roll, through the hollow shaft and is discharged by a pump or other suitable means. To accomp ish this the roll is shown as perforated at 14 at intervals throughout its periphery. The moisture is drawn through these perforations, passes to the interior of the roll and thence through the hollow shaft 12. A hollow fixture 15 connected to the discharge pipe 16 is journalled on the shaft 12 and communication is had with the hollow fixture-by holes 17 in the shaft. Packing washers 18 are located at opposite sides of the fixture and the outer end of the shaft is threaded to receive a clamping nut 19 and a lock nut 20 which also serves as a cap for closing-the end 22 of thehollow shaft.

The resilient metal padding with which this' invention is particularly concerned is preferably composed of a plurality of fiat metal springs. Each spring has a base portion 21 adapted to be attached or connected to the periphery of the roll or to the surface of the ironing element whatever may be its form. From this base portion 21 each spring is bent or arched upwardly to present a fiat free end yieldingly projecting away from the periphery 5f the roll or the base of the padded element. The free ends'of these springs, when covered by the fabric covering, normally stand in a position parallel with the base surface. The term parallel is used as applicable to this relationship although in the case of a roll the free end may more roperly be said to be concentric with the ro l periphery.

These spring members may be arranged in somewhat different formsas illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. In each case, however, the free ends of the spring members are arranged both in longitudinal rows or rows extending circumferentially in the case of a roll and in transverse rows. The longitudinal rows in each case are juxtaposed, that is the side edges of the spring members in the longitudinal rows are arranged close together with as small a space as convenient between them. The free ends of the springs in each longitudinal row overlap in the same direction. The construction which is perhaps the most referable is that shown in Fig. 6 wherein t e springs in the parallel transverse rows are staggered with respect to the adjacent transverse rows so that each free end of the spring members in each transverse row overlaps two free ends of the spring members in the next adjacent row. In either case the effect of the arrangement of the springs is, when they are brought into normal position by the, covering cloth, to cause the exterior surface formed by the springs to be substantially continuous and even throughout and thus to form a suitable supporting surface for the outer or fabric covering.

The springs may be secured to the base'of the roll in any suitable manner, as for example by rivets or pins 23. Preferably also a plurality of the springs may have a common base section 24 as shown in Fig. 8 or 25 as shown in Fig. 10. In both Figs. 8 and 10 a series of the s rings form a single section stamped out 0 sheet metal. In Fig. 8; which is the form employed in the construction illustrated in Fi 5, the spring members 26 are separate by spaces of slightly greater width than the width of the spring members so that when the sections are assembled as shown in Fig. 5 a staggered relation of the springs in adjacent longitudinal rows is secured. The connecting or base portion of the section 24 may be secured to the base of the roll or padded element by the bolts or pins 23. The form of the spring section illustrated in Fig. 10 is that employed in the construction illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. In this case the series of spring members 27 forming the single section are separated only by cuts or kerfs.

The. length and width of the springs may be varied within limits and are readily so proportioned that when an irregularity such as a hem, welt or button passes through the ironing machine only a limited circumscribed area will be depressed, leaving the remainder of the surface substantially unaffected.

Another important feature of this con Stl'lK'tlOD is that under extreme pressure and when some unusual thickness is passing, it is possible to compress the spring covering into a position where the springs contact with each other and with the periphery of the roll and thus a practically unlimited pressure may be applied without injury to the resilient padding.

After the resilient padding has been applied to the roll or other element the usual fabric covering is applied. This fabric covering may be of much less thickness than that commonly employed. It is only requisite that sufficient fabric covering shall be applied to give the required surface. It is usually found sufficient to wrap the roll and its resilient covering with a very few layers. possibly two, of cotton cloth 28, then to apply about two layers of the usual padding bers and any clippage of the fabric covering with respect thereto is prevented. A simple and efficient means is provided for that purpose by this invention by striking up from the free ends of the metal spring members small tabs 31. The shape and construction of these tabs will vary as desired but in the case of the roll form illustrated the tabs should point in the direction of the rotation of the roll so as to catch in and gri the fabric covering. A simple and e cient means of securing a uniform distribution of these engaging tabs throughout the supporting surface is secured by forming each free end of the spring members with one tab, but it is obvious that the number and location of these tabs may vary so long as there is a fairly uniform distribution throughout the supporting surface.

The arrangement of the spring or resilient padding is such that ample interstices are afforded for the passage of the moisture from the article bein ironed through the fabric covering into the spaces of the resilient metal padding. From thence the moisture passes through the apertures 14 and is sucked or drawn out through the pipe 16 by a mmp or other device.

he invention thus presents a resilient mletal padding and fabric covering for the padded element of a highly efficient nature. The fabric covering is kept in working condition and owing to the abstraction of the moisture does not become detrimentally soaked or compacted under the heavy pressure maintained during the long periods of operation so that its replacement is required only at relatively long intervals. So also a perfect ironing finish may be given to the article being ironed notwithstanding the presence of irregularities in thickness or buttons and other such appendages. This enables the ironing machine to be operated at a high continuous speed without injury to the articles being ironed. The abstraction of the moisture through the padded element prevents the atmosphere from becoming clouded with steam to the detriment of the operatives and insures excellent working conditions while at the same time maintaining the covering surface of the padded element in an efficient condition.

The invention thus materially reduces-the expense of the fabric covering because less covering is required and the covering employed lasts much longer than when used Without the intermediate resilient metal padding. The invention is equally applicable to rolls, to flat surfaces or to any other required surface. Furthermore, the resilient padding of this invention may readily be applied to existing machines because of the comparatively small space occupied by it. Each springer section of springs is a self-contained unit readily secured in place and replaceable whenever repairing is required.

, This application is a continuation inpart of my prior application #462,152 filed April 18, 1921, certain of the constructions herein shown being theisame aS shown in the said application and certain additional features and forms of the invention being herein illustrated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: v

' 1. An element for a laundry ironing ma chine comprising a base and a plurality of relatively narrow spring members secured to the base and having free ends, the said ends, overlapping in one direction and juxtaposed in the transverse direction to present a substantially continuous, even, supporting surface for a fabric covering, compressible in limited circumscribed areas without affecting the functioning of the remainder of the surface.

2. An element for a. laundry ironing machine comprising a base and a plurality of similar relatively narrow flat spring members secured to the base with their free ends yieldingly projecting away from the base and overlapping and laterally juxtaposed to present a substantially continuous surface depressible at all areas under heavy pressure close against the base without injury and depressible in limited circumscribed areas without depression of the remainder of the surface.

3. An element for a laundry ironing machine comprising a base and a plurality of similar relatively narrow flat metal springs secured at one end to the base with the free ends yieldingly projecting away from the base, the free ends of the springs being arranged in parallel longitudinal juxtaposed rows and parallel transverse overlapping staggered rows, whereby when the fabric covering is applied the free ends of the springs present a substantially continuous resilient supporting surface compressible in limited circumscribed areas without aflecting the functioning of the remainder of the surface.

4. An element for a laundry ironing machine comprising a base and a resilient padding therefor composed of relatively narrow flat metal spring members arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows, the free ends of the springs normally lying'parallel with but spaced away from the surface of the base and compressible under heavy pressure in limited circumscribed areas into conformation to the surface of the base.

5. An element for a laundry ironing machine comprising a hollow roll and a plurality of similar relatively narrow flat spring members secured to the roll periph cry in juxtaposed parallel annular rows with the free ends of the spring members overlapping and spaced from the roll periphery whereby a substantially continuous surface is presented to the fabric covering when applied, the said covering surface being compressible in limited circumscribed areas without affectingthe functioning of the remainder of the surface.

6. An element for a laundry ironing machine having the construction defined in claim 3, together with means located at points uniformly distributed over the said supporting surface for gripping the fabric covering.

7. An element for a laundry ironing machine having the construction defined in claim 5 together with tabs projecting from a plurality of the said free ends of the spring members at points. uniformly distributed over the said supporting surface for gripping the fabric covering.

8. An element for a laundry ironing machine comprising the construction defined in claim 1 together with tabs struck up and pr ecting from each free end of the spring members for gripping the fabric covering at points uniformly distributed over the sa d supporting surface.

In testimony whereof I have signed myv name to this specification.

THOMAS J. YATES. 

